Awning



Jan. 10, 1939. G. A. HOUSEMAN AWNING Original Filed Nov. 25, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 10, 1939. G. A. HOUSEMAN AWNING Origina1 Filed Nov.. 25. 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Reissued Jan. 10, 1939 PATENT OFFICE AWNING 4 George Alfred Houseman, 8hreveport, La.

Original No. 2,098,705, dated November 9," 1937,

Serial No. 51,433, November 25, 1935. Application for reissue May 5, 1938, Serial No. 206,275

19 Claims.

This invention relates to sheet metal awnings and consists of the matters hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved awning made of sheet metal, which is easily fabricated and readily erected and which, while offering protection against sun and rain or snow, will, at the same time admit air and light. Another object of the invention is to provide a construction of the kind including ventilating means which may be adjusted according to the direction of the wind, to deflect wind, rain or snow, as may be required by weather conditions.

The advantages of the invention will appear more fully as I proceed with my specification.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing one form of my improved awning applied to a. window;

Figure 2 is a view in rear elevation as the awning appears when looked at through the window to which .it is applied; i I

Figure 3 is a view representing a section through Figure 2 in a plane indicated by the line 3-3 of Figure 2; V

Figure 4 is a view representing a transverse section through the roof of the awning in the plane indicated by the line l4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a view representing a horizontal section through the awning in a plane indicated by the line 55 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a view representing a detail of construction indicated by the line 6-6 of. Figure 5; and

Figure 7 is a perspective view showing, in distorted association, a-slightly modifled form of the roof plates of the awning.

The awning may be of any familiar form or design, either in side elevation or in plan, depending upon the form of the part of the building where the awning is to be applied and/or the taste of the designer. In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, a simple side root form applicable to a window is shown for purpose of illustration.

ll indicates the roof and II, II indicate the side walls or curtains of the awning. The roof and sides are mounted on a sheet metal frame, which, in the example illustrated, consists of open triangular side members l2, l2 and cross bars or channels l3, l3 secured thereto. Each-of the side frames I has illustrated, consists of a vertical angle bar It and a downwardly inclined angle bar ii bolted together at their top ends and having their bottom, spaced ends connected by a flat bar or plate It. The angle bar I! is of the form required to give the desired contour inside elevation to thereof it, which in this case is straight. The roof III is comprised of a plurality of plates l1, l8 running substantially parallel to the top chords. I! of the side frames ii. The plates i1, arranged in alternation with the plates II, are bolted in laterally spaced relation (see Figures 2 and 6) to the top flanges of the channel bars II. The plates II are arranged in a plane spaced above 10 the plane of the plate l1 and are mounted in 'that position by means of short bars I9, I! disposed in the spaces separating the plates l'l. Said bars I! are attached to the channel bars II. and may be fixed thereto so as to hold the plates ll rigidly in their relation to the plates' I! or may be and preferably are pivoted to the webs of the channel bars I! on bolts or studs 25 (see Fig.- 4). In the normal position of the plates shown by the solid link in Figure 4, the upper plates II are parallel with the lowerplates II It is readily seen that in this normal position no direct rays of light can penetrate the awning roof structure, for whatever direct rays of light come under the depending flanges oi the upper plates ID are stopped by the lower plates I! with their upstanding flange extensions. The several short bars "pivoted to the 7 channel bars i3, are each connected by a horlzontal bar' 20 extending below the plane of the plates II, the connection being made by pivot bolts, as indicated at 2i. The two bars 20 themselves are connected so as to be movable as one by means of a band or strip 22, located in a plane below the channel bars I: and having upright arms 23, at its ends, which are rigidly attached to the two bars 20. Said band or strip 22 is located preferably near the middle of the awning. I By reason of the construction described, the

apper' plates I I may be inclined in either direcon with reference to the plates H by shifting 40 the band or strip 22 to rock the upper or cover plates ll.

The plates l1 and II are provided with side flanges I'Ia, Ila, the flanges i'la extending upwardly and the flanges Ila. extending downwardly.- This provides for drainage and makes the awning rain proof. The said flanges may be continuous and ofthe same depth throughout, as shown in Figure 4; or again, they may be cut away to provide spaced notches, as indicated at 1 I0, I80 in Figure I. Said notches in the two plates are arranged in relatively staggered relation to permit the entrance of an additional amount of air and at the same time block the entrance of water 01' SHOW.

' Asair is a gas it will circulate under the depending 'flanges of the upper plate and thence upwardly and over'the upstanding flanges of the lower plates whereas snow or rain, being heavy,-

will fall down into the channel of the lower plates, when they strike the upstanding flanges. Furthermore, because of the overlapping of the de--' pending iiangeswith the upstandingiianges in this variation of the awning structured all direct rays of the sun are stopped from coming-through pivot bolts 25 by which the bars l9 are mounted on said channel bars. a

The outer ends of the plates I1 and I8 are disposed in a vertical plane at an angle to the main body of the plates, as indicated at l'lb, lib, ,to present a short skirt at the front of the awning. These ends may be of any desired form to meet the artistic requirements of the designer.

The sidewalls or curtains II are comprised of vertically disposed parallel plates 25 which are angled outwardLv towards the rear of the awning. They overlap slightly at their lateral edges and at the top have a-part 21 disposed at such an angle as to bring their edges into alignment with the outer flange Ila of the outermost plate H, (see Figs. 4 and 5), to Which'they are attached and by which they are supported. The

. top margins of the plates'26 are cut to: provide tongues 2111 which are engaged in slots formed in the flange. l'la. These side wall plates are likewise provided with side flanges 26a, 26a, to keep out weather. Said flanges in this case are oppositely turned at the two edges of said plates, as shown in Figure 5.

To support the bottom ends of the side plates 26, the bar l6 which forms the bottom chord of the frame support H, is out and bent to provide a plurality of horizontal'triangular pieces 28 (see Figs. 5 and 6) with depending flanges 28a to which the several plates 26 are connected by bolts. A strip of sheet metal 29 isbent upon itself and engaged upon the bottom margin of the bar It to stiffen it. I

It will be obvious that the construction described is readily fabricated and easily assembled and secured together. The spaces between the platesll provide room for a considerable amount of adjustment to the windowor other part of the building to which the awning is to be applied. It also permits fanning out of the roof plates at their outerends, when this is required to meet the demands of the design. By varying the numberiof plates, an awning of any width may be produced, without otherwise changing the structure except as to the length of the channel bars I,

the other parts being the same for anawning of the particular-form and design.

. To provide for adjustments in the length of the channel bars I3, said channel bars are preferably provided at one or both ends with channel extensions lia which are telesc'oped into the ends of the main channel bar, being provided with elongated slots lib to provide for the adjustment and being secured to the main channel bar|3 by means of bolts or screws lie. This provides for adjustment on the job when the awning is being erected.

For purposes'of decoration, the upper plates i8 and lower plates ll may be painted in consop" the side curtain plates being presented in alternation in similarly contrasting colors.

It will be observed that while the awning is weatherproof, ample provision is made for the admission of air and light. And the roof is made I further weatherproof by the pivotal mounting of the outer plates II, which as has been stated, may be shifted, depending upon the direction from ,which the wind, rain, or the like, are coming.

frames, roof cross bars connecting said frames,-

a plurality of narrow, laterally spaced roof plates extending transversely of said cross bars and being supported thereby in two sets in vertically spaced relation, the one set being adapted to rock extending transversely of said crossbars and being supported thereby in two'sets in vertically spaced relation, the one set being adapted to, rock relatively to the other set, the plates of the two sets being disposed so the plates of the one set cover the lateral spaces between the plates in the other set, means for attaching the plates of the covering set to said roof bars, permitting said rocking movement, and said plates having depending ends providing a substantially vertical skirt at the front of said awning.

3. A sheet. metal awning comprising side fra es, roof cross bars connecting said frames, a plurality of narrow, laterallyspaced roof plates having side flanges extending transversely of said cross bars and being supported thereby 'in two sets in vertically spaced relation, the one set being adapted to rock relatively to the other set, the plates of the two sets being relatively disposed so that the plates of the one set cover the lateral spaces between the plates in the other set, with the flanges of each set extending towards the .other set of plates, and means for attaching sevawning comprising side erally the cover set of plates tothe said roof bars cross bars and being supported thereby in twosets in vertically spaced relation, the one set being adapted to rock relatively to the other set, the plates of the .two sets being relatively disposed so that the plates of the one set cover the lateral spaces between the'plates in the other set, with the flanges of each set extending towards the other set of plates, ,means for attaching severally the cover set ofplates to the said roof bars to permit their rocking movement, and said plates having depending ends providing a substantiallyvertical skirt at the front of said awning.

5. A sheet metal awning comprising side frames, roof cross bars connecting said frames, a plurality of narrow, laterally spaced roof plates having side flanges extending transversely of said cross bars and being supported thereby in two sets in vertically spaced relation, with the flanges of the upper set depending and the flanges of the lower set upright, the one set being adapted to rock relatively to the other set and being disposed to cover the lateral spaces between the plates of the lower set, and side curtains comprising substantially vertically disposed, parallel plates severally angling away from said side frames towards the rear, and means for attaching said side plates to said side frames.

6. A sheet metal awning comprising side frames, roof cross bars connecting said frames, a plurality of narrow, laterally spaced roof plates having side flanges extending transversely of said cross bars and being supported thereby in two sets in vertically spaced relation, with the flanges of the upper set depending and the flanges of the lower set upright, the one set being adapted to rock relatively to the other set and being disposed to cover the lateral spaces between the plates of the lower set, and side curtains comprising substantially vertically disposed, parallel plates severally angling away from said side frames towards the rear and each having oppositely turned side flanges, and means for attaching said side plates to said side frames.

7. In a sheet metal awning, a roof comprising cross bars, a plurality of narrow, laterally spaced roof plates extending transversely of said cross bars and being supported thereby in two sets in vertically spaced relation, the lower set of plates being fixed to said cross bars, the upper set being disposed to cover the lateral spaces between the plates in the lower set, short bars severally fixed to the plates of the upper set and depending through the spaces between the plates of the lower set, said short bars being pivotally connected to the said cross bars, and means connecting all of said short bars by which they may be operated in common to rock the plates of said upper set.

8. In a sheet metal owning, a roof comprising a plurality of narrow, laterally spaced, fixed plates, a plurality of narrow, laterally spaced plates located above said first named plates covering the space between and overlapping the margins of the fixed plates, and means for mounting the second named plates to rock about an axis parallel to their lengths with reference to the fixed plates, said fixed plates having upright sideflanges and said rocking plates having depending side flanges.

9. In a sheet metal awning, a roof comprising a plurality of narrow, laterally spaced, fixed plates, a plurality of narrow, laterally spaced plates located above said first named plates covering the space between and overlapping the margins of the fixed plates, means for mounting the second named plates to rock about an axis parallel to their lengths with reference to the fixed plates, said fixed plates having upright side flanges, said rocking plates having depending side flanges, said flanges being provided with notches, the notches oi the rocking and fixed plates being arranged in staggered relation.

10. In a sheet metal awning, a roof comprising cross bars, a plurality of narrow, laterally spaced rooi' plates extending transversely of said cross bars and being supported thereby in two sets in vertically spaced relation, the lower set of plates being fixed to said cross bars, the upper set being disposed to cover the lateral spaces between thev plates in the lower set, short bars severally fixed to the plates of the upper set and depending through the spaces between the plates ofthe lower set, means providing pin and slot connection between said short bars and said cross bars, and means connecting all of said short bars by which they may be operated in common to rock the plates of said upper set.

11. In an awning of the class described, the combination of a series of lower spaced parallel plates having upstanding flanges mounted on a support adapted to be attached to a wall or the like in combination with a series of overlying, spaced, parallel staggered-plates having depending flanges, said upper plates being mounted on the said support, closely spaced to one another and in close spaced parallel relationship with the lower plates whereby the depending flanges of one upper plate together with a lower staggered plate obstructs all direct rays of light coming over the edge of a succeeding upper plate.

12. The device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the upper plates are so closely spaced to the lower plates that the depending flanges of the upper plates overlap the upstanding flanges of the lower plates. 13. In an awning of the class described, the combination of a series of spaced lower plates mounted on a support adapted to be attached to a wall or the like, in combination with a series of spaced upper plates staggered with respect to the lower plates, said upper plates being mounted to the said support by means of rigid supports which extend from the upper plates through the spaces between the lower plates.

. 14. The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the said lower plates are provided with upstanding flanges whereby to form channels.

15. The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the said lower plates are provided with upstanding flanges extending from their edges and the said upper plates are provided with opposing depending flanges extending fromtheir edges.

16. An awning adapted to be fastened to a wall or the like support, including a curtain comprising a series of spaced overlapping parallel vertical depending plates, angling outwardly from the awning toward the wall at not more than ninety degrees.

17. The device as claimed in claim 16 wherein the said vertical plates are provided with flanges on the vertical edges to obstruct the fiow of water in a parallel direction.

18. The device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the said vertical plates are provided with roof extensions adapted to join to the main roof of the awning.

19. In an awning of the class described, the combination of a series of lower, spaced, parallel, plates having upstanding flanges provided with ventilating notches mounted on a support in combination with a series of upper, overlying, spaced, parallel, staggered plates, having depending flanges provided with ventilating notches, said upper plates being mounted on the said support, closely spaced to one another and in close parallel relationship with the lower plate, the flanges of the upper plate being in overlapping relationship with the flanges of the lower plates.

GEORGE ALFRED HOUSEMAN. 

